Norwegian announces new routes to Chicago and Austin from Gatwick

Norwegian Air, a Norwegian low-cost airline, has announced two new US routes from London Gatwick, with flights now on sale to Chicago with fares from £179, and Austin, Texas from £239.

Starting March 25, 2018, Norwegian will commence a year-round, four-weekly service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, with economy fares from £179 one way and Premium fares from £499. And, starting March 27, 2018, Norwegian will operate flights to Austin with a new year-round, three-weekly service to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, with fares available from £239 one way and Premium fares from £579.

Norwegian CEO Bjorn Kjos said: ‘Once again we have put the UK at the heart of our ambitious expansion plans, with affordable fares to another two exciting US destinations. As America’s third biggest city, Chicago is perfect addition to our growing networks while Austin has also become a major hub for leisure and business travel so we are delighted to offer passengers more choice and lower fares to these vibrant cities.

‘Many people said low-cost long-haul would never work but three years, 13 routes and 1.5 million UK passengers later and Norwegian has shown there is huge demand for more affordable long-haul travel.’

Stewart Wingate, Gatwick CEO, said: ‘These new flights are yet more proof that the low cost long haul revolution is here to stay as Norwegian and Gatwick’s long haul networks reach into all four corners of the globe. Norwegian now offers 13 long-haul routes from Gatwick to destinations across the US and also to South America and south east Asia.

‘The addition of new flights to Chicago and Austin also means that Gatwick’s long haul network breaks yet another world record as we now offer 62 long haul routes – more than any other single runway airport in the world – and the fifth largest network of any airport in Europe.’

The new routes from London Gatwick to Chicago and Austin will be operated on the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft offering passengers seatback inflight entertainment, and a Premium cabin offering more than a metre of legroom, complimentary meal service and airport lounge access. Flights are now on sale at www.norwegian.com.

The airline, which first launched its low-cost long-haul services from Gatwick in July 2017, now serves 13 global long-haul destinations from Gatwick, including nine US cities, Singapore and Buenos Aires. Over 1.5 million UK passengers have now flown low-cost long-haul with Norwegian since July 2014, it said.